Winner: Colorado Rockies
From 2007-10, the Rockies made a World Series (2007), made the playoffs twice (2007 and 2009 and posted three winning seasons (2007, 2009 and 2010). Since then, it’s been slim pickings in Colorado. The Rockies posted six straight losing seasons from 2011-16 and never won more than 75 games.
But they’re off to a stellar start in 2017. Colorado finished April at 16-10, in first place in the National League West. Even better, the Rockies are 3-2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and a staggering 6-1 against the Giants, the two teams that have dominated the division for the last five years.
Only time will tell if this kind of run can be sustained. Colorado has certainly been known to fizzle after a hot start. But before we call the regression police, we need to remember a few things.
Trevor Story is hitting .178. Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .216. DJ LeMahieu has one home run. Ian Desmond has played in only one game. Despite that, this team ranks in the top 10 in runs scored, home runs, and slugging. How good can this offense be if things start ticking with some of its best players?
That remains to be seen. But the Rockies are clearly heading in the right direction. That’s something we haven’t been able to honestly say for a long time.